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Litterbox Aversion, Cats
Aug 11th
Author: Connie Limon
If you have a cat that does not its litter, you may be in for some house soiling problems. The following is a list of reasons why a cat may develop a dislike to the litter box:
- The litter is not clean enough
- The cat has learned to associate the litter with something unpleasant. This could be pain due to a urinary or intestinal problem, or even from being caught and given medication there, another cat may have cornered he or she or there may be offensive odors coming from deodorizers or cleansers
- An aversion to the feel of the litter material
- A plastic litter box liner is being used and the cat catches its claws on it when trying to dig
- Too much or too little litter in the box
- A few cats dislike the litter box if it is too clean
The following is a list of signs of cat litter aversion:
- Cat avoids the litter box altogether
- Cat uses the litter box, but scratches at the sides of the box, on the floor, or other objects nearby “instead of in the litter.”
- Cat uses litter, but shakes paws a lot during and after use
- Cat does not dig in the litter before eliminating
- Cat straddles the litter box (cat puts feet up on the edge of the box to avoid touching the litter)
- Cat uses the box, but jumps out of box quickly
- Cat meows at the litter box
- Cat starts to urinate in the box, then stands and deposits the urine outside the box
Tips:
- Be sure the litter is being kept clean and it is not a deodorized one. Some cats do not like litter with a scent.
- A cleansing product might be the culprit. Try using just very hot water to clean the box
- Don’t use plastic liners
- Try different types of litter. Use the different litter for 7 to 10 days to find the right one. You can also put different kinds of litter in several boxes and see which one the cat uses.
- Always make changes slowly. I recently put litter in an empty box. I didn’t move the box, just added litter and moved the broom I was storing behind the box. All three cats seemed to be on edge about what was happening. They went to the regular box, then to this new box. Diamond, my youngest cat, made some sounds as if she was crying a bit. It took a good hour for them all to settle back down. The next day, none of the cats had used the extra box, and there were no feces anywhere but in the original box. They all three had been using the same box, but the day I added the second box, I found some feces in different areas. I just recently added Diamond, so I assumed someone decided there were too many using one box. I have noticed they all scratch around on the sides, but none jump out extremely quickly, and all have been using it up to this point. I am a firm believer our animals understand “some” of our language, so I told them all this was very “bad.” Taz looked at me with a worried look, and I honestly think Diamond thought she was in real big trouble. Fairy was the coolest cat of all, but was alarmed by the extra box addition and the moving of the broom. Diamond went repeatedly to the broom and sniffed at it. The day I added the box, their original box was extra full of feces. I usually scoop several times a day, but had not that day, so I am hoping it was just an extra dirty box and whoever did it elsewhere maybe figured the box was too full for them to do their business.
- Some cats do prefer to have two boxes, one for urine and one for feces
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any kind of health problem in your cat. You should always consult with a trusted veterinarian for all health problems.
Source: The Winn Feline Foundation Online
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/litterbox-aversion-cats-589426.html
About the Author
Written by: Connie Limon. I raise the beautiful, emerald green-eyed shaded and chinchilla silver Persian cat from champion and grand champion lines. For more information about us and to be added to our contact list, please visit http://www.fairydewsilverpersian.vpweb.com. For a variety of reprint articles visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com
Dog Bites
Aug 11th
Author: Patricia Woloch
The serious injuries that can result from dog bites include:
· scarring
· bites or puncture wounds
· fractures or broken bones
· head or brain injury
· emotional trauma
· rabies
The law has the difficult problem of deciding when to hold the owners of dogs liable for these acts, which are usually totally unintended by the owner but an expensive and painful injury to an individual who has done nothing wrong.
In Pennsylvania, dog bite law creates categories of victims and treats them differently.
A victim can claim and recover full compensation if the dog previously bit another person without justification or indicated a tendency to do so. This is usually referred to as the “one bite” rule.
However, if the dog has never bitten before, Pennsylvania’s dog bite law offers two different remedies depending upon the degree of injury. Injuries are classified as either severe or non-severe, with a severe injury being any kind of physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations.
The severely injured victim can make a claim against the dog owner for medical expenses and all other losses and legal damages. The victim must prove that the dog inflicted severe injury on him without provocation. It won’t matter whether the dog previously bit another person prior to biting this victim.
The non-severely injured victim can make a claim against the dog owner; however, the remedy is limited to only the medical expenses sustained. The victim only has to prove that the defendant was the owner of the dog.
Liability can also be based on a common law theory of negligence of the owner where recovery is based on the action or lack of action by the dog owner. Recovery under this concept requires a showing by the injured party that there was a legal duty owed to the injured party by the dog owner and that the injury arose because of a breach of that duty.
This duty can arise from a failing to properly secure the dog or entrusting the dog to someone unfit to restrain it. It can also arise from violating a local regulation or ordinance such as those prohibiting dogs from running free or mandatory muzzling provisions. Also, one who keeps a vicious dog, with knowledge of its vicious nature, may be presumed to be negligent if he or she does not keep the dog secure from injuring others.
Homeowners and renters insurance liability policies usually cover dog bite liability. Most such policies usually provide $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage. If your claim is worth more than that amount, then the dog owner may be held personally responsible for all damages above that amount.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-injury-articles/dog-bites-514920.html
About the Author
If you or a loved one has been the victim of dog bite in Pennsylvania, please contact the experienced attorneys at the Falvello Law Firm today for more information.
Best Cat Litter
Aug 10th
Author: Strive M
So you want to buy cat litter, huh? The basic type of litter which has been on the market for many years is clay based. This type of is cheap to purchase, but is often a lot more expensive to use in the long run and also a lot more work. The reason for this being you have to change the box every time, there is no way to just remove the waste and throw it out.
When it comes to cats, waste is really a major concern, because if we are not careful we are going to end up with mountains of cat litter in our land fills one day in the near future. When you think about it, one box change everyday for just one cat, you are looking at tons and tons of waste being thrown out everyday worldwide.
So to try and control this situation, there has been better varieties being produced nowadays. Most people now use the kind that allows clumping. This allows you to use less, because all you have to do is take stones out. You also do not have to use the liners, so there is no plastic waste. Depending on your budget you can start as low as fifteen dollars for forty pounds, and that is a good five week supply for one cat.
When it comes to environmentally friendly choices, most companies have discovered that fibre can clump too. Since fibre is an actual food, it is harmless to your cat. These types of cat litter are made of wheat, corn and different mixtures of fibre. You can flush the waste in the toilet and even use it in your compost.
Recycled paper can also be used, they are many choices out there but you really have to make sure to use the cleanest type of recycled paper that you have. Be careful some may have silver dye or ink in it. Pine pellets are another choice, they do not clump but they do absorb all the urine. You also get the nice smell of the pine and it is biodegradable.
There is also the option of using crystals, but most cats do not like this because of the texture. They do not want to be stepping on something hard and rough. There is also some medical concerns with the blue stones that make up the crystals that are made from cobalt chloride, which can be toxic to your cat.
When selecting your cat litter it is always wise to choose one that is not only good for your cat but also for the environment. It is good to have the options because not all litters are alike, of course other factors such as price may pay an important role in the one you eventually choose.
Also listen to your cats, watch and observe how they react to the change of litter, whether they like it or not. After all they are the ones that will be using it, if they do not use the box know that you have a problem and it is time for something different.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/best-cat-litter-2974050.html
About the Author
Next, get more FREE information on Best Cat Litter, the cat litter that helps save your cat’s life at our blog here: http://hubpages.com/hub/Perfect-Litter
The Importance Of Pet Vaccination
Aug 10th
Author: Lissette Robaina
Vaccinations for your dog are a critical part of a preventive care approach to health. Vaccinating your dog is a key responsibility that a pet parent must commit to. Vaccinations help protect your dog against diseases and have been protected from numerous disease threats. These diseases are rabies, distemper, hepatitis and many others.
A vaccination stimulates the dog’s immune system to protect itself against disease. It is one of the first issues a pet owner must provide for his pet.
It is true that some dogs have a systemic allergic reaction to vaccines, including a low-grade fever and aches and pains. Rarely will dogs have a more severe reaction to a vaccination apart from vomiting and swelling of the face. This allergic reaction is more common in toy breed dogs. The cons outweigh the pros when considering vaccinating your dog. The risks associated with vaccines are slight when compared with the risk on contracting a fatal disease.
For young puppies, vaccinations should begin at an early stage in life usually 6 to 8 weeks of age every four weeks until the puppy is 16 weeks. Despite problems, vaccinations are still a pet owner’s best line of defense against distemper, parvovirus and rabies that can kill puppies and young dogs. Pet owner should work with their Veterinarians to design a vaccination schedule for your pet based on his age, current health status and environment. An important reminder is that rabies can be contracted by any dog of any age or health status, so being protected is essential.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-importance-of-pet-vaccination-550791.html
About the Author
About the Author: Lissette Robaina is the owner of Amazingdogsplace.com, a leading provider of dogs supplies for sale. For more information, please visit “Click here”
Pet Shelters Are A Heaven From The Animal Misery
Aug 9th
Author: Muna wa Wanjiru
There are many people who abandon their pets once the idea and novelty wear off. There are also many animals that are strays because they were born on the streets. For all of these animals pet shelters is a heaven from their misery. The pet shelters are sometimes privately owned but they give the same loving care to their charges that you can find with national pet shelters.
These various pet shelters try their very best to see that all of the animals that come to their places will eventually find a good home. This however can take some time. While the animals are waiting for a home the shelter will see to their needs as best as they can.
In some cases the animals will have lost their trust in humans. These situations are dealt with calmly and patiently. The various staff at pet shelters will make sure that the animals are kept calm and quiet while the shelter veterinarian takes a look at the condition of the animal.
The various parasites and diseases that the pets may have caught are look at and then treated. Severe illnesses and medical conditions mean that the mistreated, abused or abandoned pets will be carefully cleaned by the vet staff. These sick pets will be kept in the vet center until they are ready to be placed in the regular kennels.
The healthy dogs are examined and any wounds or injuries are seen to. In addition the pets will be washed and groomed. When all of this has been achieved the pets will be given a delicious meal. This meal will have different nutrients and vitamins mixed together so that the dog has a successful chance of being adopted faster.
While the pet shelter waits for prospective families to come and see the animals there are various families who volunteer their time and energy to help these different animals get well. With their help the previously unwanted pets learn that they have the ability to function as a member of a family.
The pet shelters will allow their charges to be placed with families who care for them and who understand the responsibility that is entailed with caring for a pet. With these types of people it is very possible that different pets will be going to the right families who will care for them. For people looking for loving pets to adopt the many pet shelters that can be found all offer many different types of pets just waiting for a family.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/pet-shelters-are-a-heaven-from-the-animal-misery-300690.html
About the Author
Muna wa Wanjiru is a web administrator and has been researching and reporting on internet marketing for years. For more information on pet shelters, visit his site at PET SHELTERS
